How to Buy a Used Washing Machine

If I only have you for 3 seconds, remember this: Buy a top-loading, Whirlpool made, washing machine. Yes, I said top loading. This is the advice I tell my closest friends and family. It’s been the conclusion of my experience of buying and selling thousands appliances over these past years. If you need more proof, go to any used appliance store and see what kind of washers they sell, and also which brands they carry.

UPDATE for June, 2015 Where should you buy your used washing machine?

For a long time I used to recommend people to always get their appliances for as cheap as possible. But over these past years, and buying thousands of low priced appliances to refurbish and then resell, I’ve learned things that have caused me to change my recommendations. Here are a few things I’ve learned and where I now recommend you buy your next washing machine from.

1. There is something wrong with over half of the appliances you will buy from regular people. Some of the time the problem will not be known, as many owners don’t easily recognize when their machines need repair. Other times people will be deceptive, and focus on the fact that technically the appliance still works, while failing to mention issues they know exist, which need to be addressed. My conclusion is that you cannot just trust the word of regular appliance owners on the true condition of their appliance anymore than you could someone on the trust condition of a used car. It’s not wise to buy a used car without having your mechanic inspect it first, and the same goes for many used appliances unless you can afford the risk of buying a broken machine.

2. Washing machines need repair almost twice as often as dryers. (This is the main reason why they are more expensive than used dryers.) Washers have a lot of parts that can break and they take a lot of abuse. So washing machines are even more likely to have something wrong with them unless they have been inspected and been refurbished to great working condition.

3. Washing machines are very heavy, twice as heavy as dryers, and can be very difficult to move without the right equipment and transportation. This alone causes me to recommend a used appliance business for most people let alone the risk of that machine being broken after all that work.

So, for most people, I now recommend buying from a used appliance reseller. The prices you will pay are higher than buying from a private party, but you are paying for a machine that has been inspected, parts replaced, cleaned, often painted and which includes a warranty backing up the machine. You also get the machine delivered and setup which again, by itself is worth it. The extra value you get and the the time you will save buying from an appliance business is most definitely worth the cost.

Over these past few years, I got contacted by many people every day asking questions about where to buy their appliance and if I had a seller that I would recommend. People want to quickly and easily buy a used appliance from someone they trust. As a result of years of thinking and wrestling over these problems, my co-founder Bobby and I just created ApplianceSwap.com to help you Buy, Replace or Repair an appliance, starting with just a text. If there is anyway we can help you, just send us a text. Someone (me at first will magically walk you through quickly getting the appliance help you need. I would love to hear your feedback about the idea and service! Head over to ApplianceSwap.com and see how quickly we can help.

I’ve also scrapped a few hundred washing machines, many that were given to me for free. The vast majority of these were non-Whirlpool brands. Over time you begin to see some pretty consistent patterns.

How do you know if it’s a top-loading Whirlpool washing machine?

If you can drop your clothes straight down from above the washing machine, and they land inside the washer, then it’s a top-loader machine. Whirlpool makes washing machines under the following brands;

1. They are the most reliable and least likely to break down. Appliances are like cars. No matter how good the car is, there is always going to be maintenance that needs to be done. The more you use them, the more maintenance will be needed. That said, all cars are not created equal. Some need to have their transmission replaced far sooner than others. It’s wise to know which cars tend to need the least amount of maintenance and the least expensive repairs. The same goes for washing machines.

2. They are the easiest and cheapest to fix. They have a very simple, functional design that makes it quick and easy to do most of the repairs. Front loaders are 4-5 times more expensive to repair when, not if, they need maintenance. Also, front loaders tend to be a nightmare to work on.

3. They wash clothes better than front-loaders. Front loader washing machines use less water, which is great as long as your clothes aren’t dirty. Washing machines don’t use magic to clean clothes, they use water. The dirtier the clothes, the more water that is going to be needed to clean them.

4. They wash clothes faster. Conventional top load washers usually take about 30 minutes to complete a load, where front loaders can take two to three times that long.

5. They are cheaper to purchase. Most front loaders are anywhere from two to four times the cost of a regular top loading machine new, and I would say that holds up for used machines as well.

Why purchase only Whirlpool made top loading washers?

1. They have been making them since 1949. Kenmore’s brand name is largely associated with quality because of Whirlpool. Whirlpool has been making Kenmore washers, as well as the other brands I listed, for more than 20 years.

2. Whirlpool made washers are easier to repair than other brands. They have a very simple, functional design that makes it possible for even regular homeowners to do many of the repairs themselves. Most of the other brands are much more expensive to fix and are more prone to breaking down. For this reason, most used appliance stores don’t sell other brands, mostly because of the likelihood of them breaking again within the six month warranty period.

How much should you pay for one?

You can expect to pay anywhere from $150-$300. Buying the washer from a used appliance reseller is going to cost a bit more than buying from a private party, but you are getting a machine that has been cleaned, tested, maintenance done as well as a warranty that backs it up.

How do you inspect the washing machine prior to purchase?

If you are buying from a used appliance business, you don’t need to inspect the machine as they come with a warranty. Used appliance shops do not want to have to come out to your house and fix something, so you can bet the appliance has been thoroughly inspected.

When buying from a private party, in a nutshell, you want to see as many things working as possible. Usually it is difficult to hook water back up to the washer, but you can test out the spin cycle anywhere there is power or an extension cord. Make sure it spins pretty fast once it gets going and stops within a few seconds of when you lift the lid while it’s spinning.

Check the lid switch. When shutting the lid, make sure you hear a crisp clicking sound, which is the lid switch. No clicking sound means the lid switch is broken.

Listen for weird sounds. Any really abnormal sounds or violent vibrations are indicators that something is amiss.

Check the agitator in the middle. If you twist it back clockwise a little, then forward counter clock wise, you should feel the agitator “dogs” catch and cause the agitator to twist.

Watch out for rust inside the drum where the clothes sit. If the person left clothes wet sitting in the drum a lot, it can cause rust at times to form. This will stain your clothes and you want to avoid buying the washer in this case.

Dents and scratches are fine.

Ideally, the washer is still plugged in and being used at the person’s house. This is the safest situation. It means that it probably works fine and isn’t leaking. It also means that you can turn on the washer and run it through part of a cycle to make sure there are no weird things going on with it. Always ask the previous owner if they ever had any issues with it. Let them talk.

There is always some risk when buying a washing machine (even new ones). If you get any weird feelings, or you aren’t comfortable with something, walk away. Often times that intuition will be right. I’ve always regretted not going with my gut. Remember, always try to buy from the type of person you would have wanted to own the item before you.

How to transport the washing machine

Be careful when you’re moving a washing machine, as it’s easy to bend or mess up the feet on the bottom. Use a hand truck when possible. They weigh about 200 lbs. Also, don’t put any weight on, or pull on the control panel. They are held on by just a few plastic clips and they will break off pretty easily. It’s best to keep them upright, but if you need to slide it in a van, or SUV on it’s side, that’s ok too. It’s best to keep the drain hose side up so the little reserve of water won’t leak all over your car or van. It’s ok if they are moved in the rain, water isn’t going to hurt the outside of a washing machine.

If I missed anything, or you have further questions or comments, I would love to hear from you. If there is a common question that keeps coming up, I will add it to the post.

Notes: Front loading washing machines can be great for certain situations. They do use less water and less electricity, which is a big plus. If you buy a front loader, I recommend LG and Whirlpool Duet brands. They seem to have the least amount of problems. Stay away from the Kenmore Elite front loaders as Whirlpool did not make those for Kenmore.

(I was being contacted so often by people wanting to learn the appliance business, we built an entire training course and community that teaches you how to start your own used appliance business at ApplianceSchool.com )

107 Responses to “How to Buy a Used Washing Machine”

Thanks for the great info! I’m sure a lot of appliance salesmen at stores selling new stuff wouldn’t know all this. I know someone who bought a front loader because the dryer could stack on top of it. When they sold their house a couple of years later they said “We’ll never buy another front loader. It has been nothing but headaches.”

I think some top load washers that don’t have multiple agitation settings can be a little rough on delicate clothing. So if someone get’s a really basic washer and needs to wash a really delicate piece of clothing, there might be an increased chance of it being damaged.

Are you able to talk with the previous owners? I would say try and talk with them. My guess is it will depend on how many loads of laundry you are planning on doing a day. In many areas you can even run the grey water right into your yard, bushes, flower beds etc if you want to keep it out of your septic or sewer.

I agree that top loaders are the way to go. We recently moved to Australia from Texas and sold our top loader and bought a front loader here from a friend. The shortest cycle (cold water, delicate) is 1:07 and the longest (hot water, cotton/sturdy) is 2:57! Unbelievable. I miss my cheap, basic, Kenmore top loader every single day. Front loaders just don’t seem to clean as well. My mother had her basic Kenmore for over 20 years and just recently had to replace it and got the same version again.

I would definitely not recommend transporting a washing machine on its side because of the springs that hold the tank, we did this once and the springs got stretched out and was a mess when the spin cycle would come on, it would kick the sides of the washing machine.

Setting a washer on it’s side shouldn’t permanently stretch the springs. We’ve never seen that happen. We have seen the (glide plate?) shift out of center in about 1 washer out of 100. It’s very rare, but has happened. It’s pretty quick and easy to center the plate again. Because of how rare this occurs, I don’t feel it necessary to recommend that everyone go out and rent a truck or trailer to transport a washing machine.

I suspect the springs were already stretched out and needing to be replaced before you moved it. Thanks for the comment!

Thank you so much for the wealth of information you are giving back to the community, I am very appreciative of all your advice. I have been buying and reselling on CL part time for some time now but want to tap into the appliances category because electronics is a massive headache (lots of stolen phones, rat races, flakes, etc.). It would honestly be a life changer if I had some advice as to how I can begin buying and reselling in the “appliances” category, just as your are doing yourself. My main barrier is not knowing what prices to buy in to, how do I determine the actual value of an appliance before I negotiate a deal for it? Any advice would be so deeply appreciated.

The best thing you can do is look at how much everyone else is trying to sell that appliance for in your area. Then check out Priceonomics.com and see what it goes for across the country. If you keep buying and selling dishwashers, for example, soon you will know exactly how much each type and style of dishwasher will sell for and how long it will take to sell.

This is a great article. I hope this is not too cheeky, you could help me out. I bought a top loading Whirlpool new about 5 yrs ago and it is now leaking from somewhere underneath during the fill cycles. It’s not from the hoses or anywhere visible looking down the back from the top, I peeled the back panel and looked down in there, no visible leaking anywhere so it must be down below the tub somewhere. It’s not leaking over the edge of the tub either.

Yeah, the general build quality of all appliances has dropped off significantly over the years. I acquired a washer and dryer from a lady that had been using them for 50 years. Now, they are making most appliances knowing they are going to need repair and maintenance within 2-3 years even, especially certain dishwashers. When this happens, they know that it takes almost nothing to cause consumers to run out and buy a new machine. Planned obsolescence.

I finished the repair and am doing a load now with no leaks. Took 1/2 hour total due to the tight location and a total of $9.73 for the part delivered via Amazon Prime. The new part looks like it is improved to eliminate the seam it was leaking from.

What I didn’t understand originally is why would it leak only during the fill cycle if it’s leaking from the pump which presumably is used only to evacuate the waste water? Oh well.

Thanks again, that was very satisfying, I didn’t want to be the dumb ass that calls a serviceman, I know better but so many things have been breaking in my life lately it’s hard to keep up!

How old is too old when buying a washer/dryer? We have a tiny apt and have to get a unitized set, and most of the ones on Craigslist from dealers are 8-15 years old, $400-$500. It seems strange to buy something 10 years old for that much, but that’s what they all are. Should I have pretty low expectations for a 10-year-old Whirlpool/Kenmore set?

If you are buying the washer/dryer stacked combo, there is a smaller supply of them and they run about $1,100 or more new. This causes the used price to stay pretty high. You might occasionally find one for $200-$300 but I would say $400 is average for those. Frigidaire made those stacked sets for Kenmore. I’m not a huge fan of those, but you don’t have a lot of options. If the dealer went through it, 8-10 years old is fine, I wouldn’t be worried about the age. Hope that helps.

It’s totally mixed. They all need cleaning. Machines that need small repairs are more profitable, and people sell them for much less, so I have been targeting those that need repairs more often. For someone that doesn’t know how to do any repairs, and just wants to clean and resell, that’s how I started and I did just fine! Over time however, it becomes obvious that the more value you are able to add to these machines, the more money you will make.

Do you spend a lot of time trying to talk the seller down on price. I have noticed the prices seem to be pretty much the same when looking at craigslist so I assume the only way to put profit in it is to talk the seller down.

I don’t anymore. I’m in a big market and will sometimes shoot out lower offers but there are enough good deals that I don’t need to spend much time low-balling people. The really good deals get snagged somewhat quickly, so you need to keep checking the listings to snag them. I will write a post soon about everything I bought in a day and how much I paid for it/sold each for.

These articles are great!! I definitely agree. Out of all the washers that we’ve purchased and resold, including brand new front loaders, the absolute best was a top-loading Roper by Whirlpool that was a few years old.
I’d love to see a similar article on fridges

Are there any particular models of kenmore or whirlpool that you recommend? I see so many different ones on craigslist! We are a family of two, about to become a family of four (expecting twins) and I can see how we’ll be doing a lot of laundry soon. The house we’re about to move into doesnt have a washer/dryer so we’re on the hunt for something cheap that will do us justice (the right combination of price point and efficiency to go easy on the bills).

Also, have you ever thought about posting a link (or maybe you already do?) to this blog on your craigslist ads? I think your articles are adorable and I immediately thought, “oh I’d like to buy a washer from him since this is how he supports his family and he’s honest!”

I just emailed you. Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I’m actually going to be starting another website for the appliance operation which will talk a little more about who I am. Communicating trust to buyers is very important, I completely agree. Thanks for the comment!

Hi Ryan, what I do to get used W/D is put A ad on CL that I buy used Whirlpool brand washers and dryers I’ll put in the ad that I pay up to $35 for working or non-working machines. That’s when I get low on the trade-ins and I know A person who wouldn’t sell unless he gets trade-ins…………….

I can see not wanting to sell or deliver an appliance without the trade-in. That’s where a decent portion of the profit lies. How is the response to your ad saying you pay for working or non working machines?

Thanks for paving the way for others, that’s a very cool thing to do. Question for you: do you think it is worth my $50 to buy a 3-5 year old dryer that needs a heat element with the intention to resell? What is your typical profit on a dryer?

I think it would be better to pull a heating element off another dryer that is going to be parted out. Heating elements don’t go out that often, it’s usually a thermostat/fuse issue that causes dryer’s to stop heating. You can get the heating element new on ebay for $25 shipped, if you want to go that route.

If it’s a really nice looking, newer dryer and you don’t have another heating element, it’s probably worth buying an element if you don’t want to wait. Hope that helps!

I have a single mother friend who brings over 10 loads of laundry at a time. Yesterday she did laundry all day,now smells like burnt rubber when I tried to do laundry this a.m. Nothing seems to be spinning either…: ( Could the problem be a belt? Learned my lesson with the last front loader I had, frigidaire model! Now own a Kenmore top loader. Came with the house, never a problem til now. I have the hoses disconnected, took off two round metal plates, but don’t know what I am looking for. Last service call I paid for here on Bainbridge Island was $490 for a washer. Panicing a bit thinking about that again. I have a stage IV ovarian cancer sister living here with me, laundry and cleanliness utmost importance for her during chemo. So I need to try to fix this soon. Any ideas about repair or possible new/used purchase?

I’m wondering how you’re able to make a profit off of washers/dryers that you don’t actually repair and buy for an average price? Surely just cleaning the unit won’t add $50+ to the price you can resell it for. Do you have some kind of marketing technique that increases the demand for your cleaned washers/dryers?

People will often sell washers and dryers for $50 a piece or less. We clean them up, test them, repaint portions of them and once they are up to our standards, we repost them for 2-3 times what we paid. These good deals get snagged quickly so you often won’t see them unless you spend a good bit of time watching the listings throughout the day.

My marketing technique, for the most part is in the blog posts on the site. Delivery is a huge one, and clean, rust free appliances are a big selling point. I also am able to plug the appliances in for people before they purchase so they can see them working. Many other sellers can’t or don’t want to do that. That’s also a big selling point. Let me know if you have any other questions or check out the coaching page. http://recraigslist.com/coaching/

In general I avoid non-Whirlpool made brands. Remember, Whirlpool makes Kenmore, Roper, Estate, Kirkland, KitchenAid, Inglis, new Admiral, new Maytag, new Amana and I’m forgetting some. Anyway, especially on the last three, make sure they were made in the last couple years or you will find that they weren’t made with a Whirlpool design or parts.

Hi Ryan,
What do you do with the old appliances you get for free from your customers if they aren’t of the whirlpool brand? I was also curious if you would sell a washer/dryer as a matching set or sell them separately> Thanks again for your help!

It depends. If the machine is in nice condition and needs just a basic fix, we will repair it and resell it. For bigger repairs on the off brands that we don’t like we end up recycling the machines. Part of the benefit of specializing in certain brands is it becomes much easier to warranty your product. If someone has an issues you can know exactly what is going on, what needs to be fixed, how much time it will take to repair and how much it will cost. Down the road when people need further maintenance and repair, you can give them a really accurate quote over the phone about the repair cost.

Hey Ryan, thanks for the info. about washers. I think I will be able to repair ours instead of buying a new one.

I have a couple of questions about refrigerators, though. I bought a new Roper from Lowe’s 3-4 years ago, and it’s been a complete POS. Doesn’t seal worth a damn. How can I avoid making that mistake again? My logic in buying a new one was that it would be more efficient than an old one, thus making up for the price difference. That certainly didn’t turn out to be the case.

What brands of refrigerators would you look for on CL? How would you test them, or what would you look for when you went to pick one up? What kind of fixes are simple enough, and what would you consider a deal-breaker (if you wanted a working fridge, instead of something for parts)?

Finally, if you don’t mind: any thoughts on counter-depth refrigerators?

Sorry to hear about the refrigerator purchase. I’m a big fan of GE refrigerators as the build quality seems to be higher than some of the other brands. It’s what I’m using currently and it’s the brand I see the least amount of that are broken down.

As far as testing them out, make sure it’s plugged in. Make sure the seals are tight, and preferably still in use. The odds that it has an issue go up quite a bit once people stop using the machine. If you can determine that the compressor is on and working but not cooling, walk away. If the compressor is not on, then it’s likely that the fridge will be fixable for not too much money. Best thing to do is google/youtube the symptoms of the fridge and try to determine what part is out.

I don’t have much experience with counter depth refrigerators. I will eventually write a refrigerator buying guide, but I want to learn more before I do so. Hope this helps!.

I was wondering, when you talk about testing/inspecting the washer do you actually do this in their house? Is it always possible to test them and what should you do if the owner refuses to let you test it in their house for whatever reasons?
Thanks!!

I will often set the washer to extra small load, let it fill with water and watch it agitate for a few moments to make sure everything sounds right. Then set the washer to spin and see if it spins fast enough. You can use a key to depress the lid switch so you can see how fast the drum is spinning. Make sure you watch your washer at home first so you know how fast it should look when spinning.

If the washer is in the garage, you can still set it to spin mode and watch it spin, which will often reveal if there are issues. Make sure that the drain hose is aimed inside a five gallon bucket or something else to collect the water.

If someone doesn’t want you to test the appliances, they are probably hiding something. If there is nothing wrong with the machines then people usually won’t have a problem with you testing the machines. Hope that helps!

Hi Ryan, thanks for the helpful article. Have you encountered any washers that make the threads on towels come apart? My washer has destroyed all my towels… it is a Kenmore 300 top-loader, I got it new in 2007. Do you think the agitator should be replaced? Any tips you can give me would be well appreciated. Thanks!

Are there any sharp edges or broken plastic parts on the agitator? Basically anything sharp that could shred the towels? Are there any other articles of clothing being damaged or just the towels? The only time I’ve seen a machine damage clothing or towels has been when there was broken plastic that the clothes were getting caught up on. Let me know.

We haven’t been seeing many of them on the used market yet, so they must be holding up pretty well. I would encourage you to buy one of the newer ones, like within a couple of years old. There were some older Whirlpool ones that were junk that you want to stay away from. Hope that helps!

My children have asthma our Dr said that we needed to buy a front loader washing machine . We purchased LG and LOVED it . I was able to fit stuffed animals and comforters in it . I was also pleased that my clothing was not getting hooked and torn apart by the agitator . We moved overseas and came back . I could not afford to purchase an Lg upon returning and purchased front loading Maytag. They were terrible ! Both washer and dryer would destroy clothes being caught in the gap between the door and the drum. All our clothes had huge holes in them . Now they are sitting in our garage because Im tired of wasting money on clothes . We purchased LG top loader with out an agitator . I love it . It cost a little more but was well worth it .

Yes I have a whirlpool washer, and in the middle of a wash cycle, it will aditate, but it won’t drain or rinse the clothes, the lid switch does not make a clicking noise like it should but also when the timing ticks but doesn’t actually switch over to the drain cycle????

My Maytag Neptune washing machine died and will take the cost of a new machine to fix it! Is it true that cheaper parts are used in name brand machines built by for Home Depot, Best Buy and other big box stores and better metal parts are used in machine made for appliance stores?

There isn’t a difference in quality because of the store. There is difference in quality because of the manufacture, and the model. There are certain very base model’s that seem to have motors and timers that are inferior, especially in the electric dryers.

Great Job! As an appliance repairman I find your advice 100% honest and accurate. I always tell my clients use the K.I.S.S method when buying appliances. Keep it simple stupid because all the glitter of computers on appliances look great but they give the most trouble.

Hi Ryan I have a GE PROFILE model#WPSE4200AOWW washer, it fills with water then does nothing for a while then will agitate for about 5 to 10 sec. then do nothing again for a while, then pump the water back out then do nothing for a while again, then goes to spin for 5 to 10 sec. then does nothing for a while again, then fills with rinse water then does nothing again for a while, then pumps the water back out then does nothing for a while then goes to spin for 5 to 10 sec. then stops.Do you think it could be the control panel and if so were could I find 0ne cheap or reasonable , bought it brand new about 10 to 12 years ago , dryer is still going good . Just about had it with this washer .

Sounds like a timer issue. Because it’s a GE, I would recommend getting rid of it and picking up a Whirlpool made machine. Then, if it ever needs any work done on it, you can do it pretty easily and the parts are cheap. Hope that helps.

Thanks! It should be. Send me a link to the post or a picture of the machine. If it was made by whirlpool it will have a 2 inch little indentation going across the front of the machine on the bottom all the way across. It’s like Whirlpool’s Nike Swoosh.

spot on Ryan. good man, good info. repaired Everything (twice) and had the Least trouble with my whirlpool washer and my GE tbx fridge. what do you think are the quality brands for dishwashers,water heaters, even AC/furnace, freezer, lawn mower, vacuum, garbage disposal?

Hi Brenda, dishwashers..I like Whirlpool the best, GE can be good. Stay away from Frigidaire dishwashers, something breaks within 2-3 years on average even when purchasing new. As far as your other questions, those will have to wait for some future posts, and more research!

Hey Ryan, just wanted to get your thoughts on flipping washers and dryers on Craigslist as a full-time (or even part-time) business. If a Whirlpool washer is going for $100 on CL, and I buy it at that price but turn around immediately and sell it for $150 to $200, offering free delivery, would the markup be justified by the fact that I’m delivering (in your opinion)? I would think so, but what do you think? Thanks for a great article and God bless your business venture as you transition it to Hawaii.

Probably, as long as you get a good trade in machine from the buyer. And it depends on what kind of machine they have. Buying/selling and repairing appliances is a very good business to get into, and the demand has been high enough that we setup ApplianceSchool.com as a result. Check it out and let me know if you have any questions.

We purchased a top loader whirlpool cabrio with the glass
lid, about 4 years ago.
So far, it had to have new bearings and a new tub at about
One year old. Then the lid broke shortly after that but,
That was all under warranty. Since then the lid has broken off again
And whirlpool wants over $200. For a new one
And another $200. For a service call to put it on!
I went online and everyone is complaining of the same problem with
The Cabrio lid. The glass is too heavy for the frame.
Newer cabrio s have a thicker frame, but guess what,
The new lid wont fit older machines! And Whirlpool
Won’t stand behind it. They contend there is no problem
It has been working but I had to use the front if the lid
To fool the switch by holding it in until the lock
Tripped. Finally got tired of messing with it and bought a new
GE top loader. I used to think Whirlpool was the best
But they won’t stand behind a faulty design any more.
Any one want to buy a used Cabrio without a lid?

Cabrio’s are junk. Whirlpool laid an egg when they started making them. The traditional Whirlpool top loading washers that they have been making for the past 30 years are the way to go. Not a fan of GE top loaders at all.

I purchased a Whirlpool washer & dryer in Oct 1982 and have loved having this set. My washer quit draining a few months ago and I finally had a repairman come and look at it. He said that it probably needed a new pump and that the belt had dry rotted. He said it would cost more to fix it and that I should buy a new one. I am very happy that I was able to use it this long. I have found a 4 year old Whirlpool set from a friend that is very reasonable. Should I take the old washer for scrap metal which is only paying $9 per 100 lbs. or do you think someone else could fix it if I give it away? The dryer works great and I would like to sell it. I still have all the books for both that came with the set. How much do you think I could ask for the dryer? It is clean. Thank you and I have enjoyed your articles.

I would scrap the washer personally, at least that particular one. That’s outstanding that you got that much use out of them! Definitely sell the dryer, you can get at least $80-$100 for it, just depends on how it looks. (I would have to see a picture of it, and unfortunately people tend to go off pictures more than anything)

Buying a washer/dryer from a friend is a great way to go, especially as you will know exactly what sort of condition it’s in.

Thank you for your response. The dryer is in great condition and always used inside and I am the original owner. Plus I am single and did not use as much as a family would. I love Whirlpool appliances and have been a happy customer. I will take the washer to be scraped. I might get $15 for it. I’m not sure how much it weighs. It was the last model of that type before they changed the mechanics of it. I was very pleased with the repairman who was honest. He was only 4 when I bought it. He didn’t think the parts could be ordered any longer and said it was the first time he had seen one that old. If you take care of appliances, they should last a long time if it is a good quality to begin with.

Ryan, I just wanted to thank you profusely for this site. I’m a single mom, just made an expensive move, and NEED a washer. This at least gives me some ammo to not get totally scammed. Thank you so much! I’ll let you know what I ultimately buy.

You have been most helpful, Thank you.
My washing machine just went out. It is a Maytag and it spins but the water doesn’t drain. It is making a loud noise similar to a leaf blower. At first I was told it was a pump and could be fixed for $90. Now I am being told it is the Transmission and will be $160. Does this seem right?

Ryan I just got a diagnosis for my Kenmore washer, I was told the timer would be $300 for the part alone, but I saw one on sears for $97. Should I just order the part and replace it myself or do you know any repairman you can refer me to in Brooklyn who are semi trust worthy at least?

Hi, I bought a top loading speed queen two and a half years ago. Have had nothing but problems. From screeching, to banging and in between. Had the bearings replaced, clutch assembly greased, and now its screeching agsin at the beginning if every cycle. Will call the repair man once again. I hope he will come. Should I keep repairing it after my three year warranty is up this February? Or should I get a used whirlpool? I am at my wits end with these repair men constantly here, from one thing to the next. Got a lemon for sure!

Hi Ryan,
I have a top load maytag neptune that doesn’t drain on the spin cycle. It is past its warranty and was wondering if you a. know what might be causing this and b. should i spend the money on repair or get a new machine? Also is it worth spending the extra money on a high efficiency machine? All i seem to read about are the problems that they have.

I personally probably wouldn’t have that machine fixed. The amount you would pay would be at least as much as another used machine. I don’t think it’s worth it to spend the money on a new washing machine. They all need maintenance but front load machines are much more expensive up front, and are more expensive to repair etc. If you do buy a front load washer, go with the LG.

Ryan, this site is great. Stumbled upon it today and have already gained a lot of knowledge. My question to you is we have an Admiral top loader that was given to us a few years ago. Just yesterday it started whining during the spin cycle. I pulled it away from the wall and there was a grease spot on the floor about the size of a paper plate. From what I have found online, it is likely the transmission failing. If that is the case, is it trashed? Thanks!

The transmission will likely need to be replaced at some point. You will know when the sounds get worse and the washer stops spinning the clothes very dry after the spin cycle. (They will come out wetter) Once that takes place, either ask a repair place/person how much they would charge you to put in a used transmission, or sell the machine for $50 to a repair person. Or, if you are handy, buy a used transmisison on ebay and swap it out yourself.

I would keep using it as long as you can stand the slightly louder noise or when performance takes a dive, for then the dryer will start having to work harder/longer and cost you more money for each load to dry. Hope that helps!

Hello,
I am hoping you can help me with a question about a used washer I just bought. I wish I would have found this article before hand. I just purchased a used Maytag top load washer. I just recently noticed that there are plastic shredded pieces in my washer. Do you know what this is why it’s happening and if it’s bad. I really hope I didn’t just waste my money. Thank you for your help.

Hmm, I would try running a few empty loads and see what happens. I doubt that the plastic shreds are coming from the washer itself and were likely something that was washed before you got the washer, and remained in the tub. It might take a few loads for the remnants to be washed out.

Yes, I did check and it seems to be shredding off of a plastic rim at the hop of the inside of the washer if that makes sense. Only, I don’t know why it’s doing that. can I just sand the rough edges down on the plastic part, or will I have to replace the whole thing? Sorry if it sounds confusing, I don’t know the technical terms. Thanks for your help!

There is a plastic piece where the water falls into the washing machine, maybe that’s hanging down and is rubbing on the plastic rim of the tub as it spins around during the spin cycle. It will be in the middle, back of the washer under the casing.

One question what about those top loader washers with dryer on top made usually by Frigidaire? Cause in my appartment the space reserved for washer/dryer is only for washer/dryer one on top of other one….

Hi Ryan,
Just stumbled on your article when I Googled “how much should I pay for a used washing machine”. Really appreciated your insight and detailed information!

Now I have a question to ask. Our Kenmore washer just broke down. It was still draining the washer, but wouldn’t spin. We knew it was the coupler, as this has happened to us before. This time we purchased the “heavy duty steel lined enforced” coupler in hopes it would hold up longer. After we, and when I say we I really mean my husband, replaced the coupler, which was indeed broken, our washer started agitating. We then put a load of laundry in. Everything looked and sounded fine. Mid-cycle everything just STOPPED. No agitating (am I saying that right?), no spinning, and NO DRAINING. It also smelled like something was burning…. What should we look for as the culprit this time? Did we make a poor choice with the steel lined enforced coupler? Thanks Ryan for any input!

Fantastic site, and excellent advice. I purchased a Whirlpool top loader washer from Best Buy 3 years ago. It just started giving me problems a week ago. Will not spin all the water out of the clothes at the end of the regular wash cycle. There is no standing water left in the tub, but just very soggy clothes. However, I can turn the cycle selector to Drain & Spin after the regular wash cycle, and the tub will spin the clothes dry like it used to on the regular cycle. Any ideas?

The clutch probably needs to be replaced, it’s a very common maintenance issue. If you replace the clutch, the machine should be good to go for a number of years. Replace the coupler as well while you or the repair guy is down there. Hope that helps!

Thanks for writing this article! We have an Admiral top loader that would bang against itself during the spin cycle if the laundry was even slightly distributed unevenly. (This is the main reason I was looking into getting a front loader) Then the other day I noticed that it wasn’t spinning at all anymore. It still fills up and drains normally. Is the off-centered spinning/banging fairly common with top loaders? Is it a simple fix to get ours spinning again, or should I look into buying something else? Thanks!

The banging would be expected if the washer wasn’t leveled in each direction properly. They can still get clothes bunched on one side and get a bit noisy. That’s somewhat common. Will your washer agitate but not spin, or neither?

Ryan – I bought a moving sale Washer and Dryer for 40$ each. They are Maytag Neptune. I know I made a mistake and now we finally got them downstairs and see that the dryer power cord wont fit into our outlet!!!!!!! Are there any adaptors to fit these or am I throwing good money after bad? thanks

No you can just swap the dryer cord out pretty easily. Go to YouTube and search for how to change out a dryer power cord. You can pull the one off the dryer you just bought, and take it to a used appliance store and ask if they will swap you for the one you need, even if you have to pay $5 it’s worth it. Don’t pay more than that though to swap.

Any thoughts on Fisher Paykel topload washer and front load dryer? We found a set but brought it home to find out the washer had a few issues. The guy we bought it from gladly took it back and repaired the valve and a couple of other minor things. He’s willing to triple the original 30 day warranty, but I’m still skeptical.

I’m thinking of still walking from the deal, but I had such great luck with my other FP set with no issues for over 10 years. Seems hard to pass up.

I would walk away from the deal, or see if he has any whirlpool made machines. Fisher and Paykel work great until they don’t, and the repairs can be very expensive. I don’t recommend buying them. Hope that helps!

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Who Is Ryan Finlay?

For the past four years I've earned my living buying and selling on Craigslist alone. I love helping people make money. This website chronicles my story and will hopefully help you out along your own journey.